Gaza’s second week of protests demands ‘Hamas out’ as grip weakens

Mass protests against Hamas’s iron-fisted control of the Gaza Strip have flared up for a second week, resuming Wednesday after a pause over the weekend and the Eid al-Fitr holiday. These demonstrations, which erupted last week, mark the most significant public defiance of the terror group since the war began nearly 18 months ago. Social media footage reveals hundreds, possibly thousands, of Gazans taking to the streets across various parts of the enclave, chanting “Hamas out, out, out” and “Enough death.” Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, a Gaza-born American activist, posted videos and images on X, highlighting the scale of the unrest in northern Gaza, especially Beit Lahia, where men, women, children, the elderly, and even the wounded joined in, desperate to voice their frustration.

The protests regained momentum Tuesday after the IDF ordered evacuations in Beit Lahia and nearby areas ahead of airstrikes, triggered by a rocket fired toward Sderot that was intercepted without casualties. This escalation, paired with Israel’s complete halt of aid deliveries, has deepened the despair driving these rallies. Many interpret the unrest as a sign of mounting discontent with Hamas’s rule, though not all protesters reject its ideology outright—some simply crave an end to the conflict. Muhammad, a young Gazan speaking to the Jewish Insider, said, “People are sick of Hamas using their lives as bargaining chips for political or financial gain,” insisting the group must exit both politically and militarily.

Yet, opinions vary. Beit Lahia clan elders back the call to stop the war but still endorse armed resistance against Israel. A Jabaliya medic, grieving the loss of family, told the Associated Press the protests target Israel’s actions more than Hamas, accusing Israel of twisting the narrative. Meanwhile, Hamas’s grip appears to be slipping. Tuesday’s public execution of a Hamas operative by the Abu Samra clan, followed by another family’s vow of vengeance Wednesday, signals a bold shift after 18 years of unchallenged rule. That same day, Hamas reportedly killed a protester from Shejaiya, sparking gunfire between his clan and the group. Muhammad argues peace hinges on Hamas releasing hostages and leaving Gaza, warning that without this, another October 7 looms.